The origins of one aspect of my style.

I was sitting here thinking about style. About how it’s a collection of habits one acquires over time. Habits that routinely produce results the photographer enjoys and shows off his or her take on the world. It can be a favorite aperture, lighting technique, post processing technique, pose, background, the options are virtually limitless. When considering my own style one thing I noticed was an increasing consistency in camera angle, especially when it comes to pin up photography.

I much rather prefer shooting from a seated, seated on the floor, or even laying down position. The low camera angle in a somewhat literal sense puts the woman on a pedestal. It gives her authority, strengthens her role in the image, and makes her “larger than life”. I first got this idea from a retro-by-today’s-standards video on glamour photography. It was the NYIP’s “The Art of Glamour Photography” feat Earl Miller.

In this guide Earl Miller goes over how he shot the image on the box cover from a low angle with a wide lens (24mm lens on a 35mm camera) to exaggerate the length of her legs. This is what got the ball rolling for me. A lot of pinup is from a similar angle. I think the slightly domme-y feel helps offset what could feel some what objectifying. It gives the viewer the sense that the subject is in control of the shoot, the situation, and her own attractiveness.

The camera angle wasn’t as low and the lens wasn’t as wide, but this shot should give you an idea of how I’ve incorporated this technique into my style: